RO/DI Unit Questions!

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bildotang

Guest
I understand the advantages of an RO/DI unit for my tank. My question is should I buy a unit specifically for my tank, or should I just make sure that I use RO/DI water on my water changes? If I should buy a unit, what's a good brand? Do I need a high output unit for my 150, or just a small one that will eventually clean all my water?:notsure:
 
nacl-man

nacl-man

Member
Kent makes good units, as well as spectrapure. You do not hook an RO unit directly up to your tank however, you install it to filter your tap water.
Any RO unit is better than no RO unit, as long as you get a TDS (total dissolved solid) meter to test the water.. if it reads '0' then you are good to go.
 
nas19320

nas19320

Active Member
Check out airwaterice.com also for RO/DI units. The difference in GPD should have no effect on the quality of the water produced on a quality unit, just how quickly water will be produced. RO/DI water dose not purify your tank in any way only your make up water.
 
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bildotang

Guest
I have used normal tapwater for my tank setup, which has been running for some time. I just want to increase my water quality by using RO/DI water. So, on all future water changes, I need to use the good water through the units. I will check out these manufactures to see what they have. How should I store extra water? In a bucket with an air stone and a power head? Or can I use it right out of the unit, assuming that temperatures are the same?
Eventually, after a bunch of water changes, I should have all RO/DI water in my tank, correct?
 
nas19320

nas19320

Active Member
I keep my RO/DI water in two different 32 gal. Roughneck Trashcans. One trash can has pure RO/DI that is kept tightly covered. The other trash can has a heater and powerhead that contains my freshly mixed SW and is also kept covered. After doing a couple waterchanges depending on how bad your tap water was, you should see noticeable effects. For me the difference was amazing, most noticeably is that all my algae problems disappeared.
 
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bildotang

Guest
Nas19320,
I assume the fresh water is for top-offs in the tank, and the mixed water for water changes.
One final question though. Now that I will begin a transition from my aggressive setup to my reef, how much water changes should I do? It's a 150 with about 190 lbs of LR. Is a 10% water change monthly good enough? I don't have algae problems, so I usually don't change much water.
And thanks for all your guys help! It's most appreciated!:)
 
nas19320

nas19320

Active Member
Yup, the freshwater is for topoffs. I usually just store some in 1 gal. jugs so I can carry it around easily. You can also set-up an auto-top off with a float valve or switch but I haven't gotten around to doing that, it will make life a little easier that way. I do about a 10% water change weekly or bi-weekly. I guess if you don't have any real problems than 10% a month should be fine. Are your nitrate and phophate levels acceptable? WC will RO/DI water will help lower nitrates and phosphates and will also replace the trace elements. Be sure you also top-off with RO/DI water as any solids from the tap water will build up in the tank because only water evaporates.
 
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bildotang

Guest
I will check my chemicals today, and do a water change. Things have been good so far for me, but I'm sure I will see a change for the better. Thanks for all your help, I definitely have a better understanding now. Thanks.
 
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